CRP Grasslands Program explained; deadline is Nov. 20

The recently announced Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands Program is designed to support grazing operations; maintain and improve plant and animal biodiversity; while protecting grasslands from being converted to other uses.
The CRP Grasslands Program consists of three continuous enrollment practices: the CP87 Practice (permanent introduced grasses and legumes), the CP88 Practice (permanent native grasses and legumes) and the CP42 Practice (pollinator habitat).
Unlike other CRP practices, no cropping history is required for enrollment in CRP Grasslands. To be eligible, land must contain forbs or shrubs, including improved pastureland for which grazing is the predominant use. It should also be located in an area historically dominated by grasslands, while providing habitat for animal and plant populations that are ecologically significant. Expiring CRP, except for tree practices, as well as expiring Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP) practices are also eligible. However, forestland and woodland are not eligible to be enrolled in the CRP Grasslands Program.
CRP Grasslands sign-up began on Sept. 1 and is ongoing, with Nov. 20, 2015, being the first cutoff for the ranking of applications. Offers will be evaluated on the basis of six factors, each worth a maximum of 20 points. These factors are: current and future use (expiring CRP is ranked higher than current livestock use which is ranked higher than other uses); whether the applicant is a beginning, underserved, or veteran farmer; maximizing grassland preservation (Rock County has been allocated a “zero” for the threat of grassland conversion); the vegetative cover offered (the greater the number of relevant species, the higher the ranking); as well as environmental and pollinator habitat factors. The national ranking process will rank offers based on the greatest benefits provided, as related to these six factors.
Provisional offers may be submitted on acreages where the cover is currently not grass, but where the producer agrees to establish an approved grass cover at their own expense. If the offer is selected for approval, the grass cover must be established within one year of the offer’s approval.
Cost share is not available for the establishment of grass cover; or the erection of corrals, feedlots, ornamental fences, holding pens and cattle guards. However, up to 50 percent cost share is available for the erection and establishment of gates, ponds, wells, spring development, pipelines, water facilities, fuel breaks, brush management, prescribed burning, trails and walkways, as well as for the erection of permanent fences. However, for this program, a single strand electric fence is not considered a permanent fence.
CRP Grassland Program rental rates are based on a maximum of 75 percent of the estimated grazing value of the land. In the case of Rock County, the annual rental rate has been established at $40 per acre, with a contract period of 15 years.
Permitted activities on CRP Grassland practices include haying, mowing, harvesting for seed production, fire suppression, fire-related rehabilitation, construction of fire breaks, grazing and grazing-related activities, such as fencing and livestock watering facilities. These activities are subject to certain restrictions during the primary bird nesting season that runs from May 15 to Aug. 1.
For more information on the CRP Grasslands Program, please contact the Rock County FSA Office at 283-2369 ext. 2.